View Full Version : Am I ready to setup my tank????
doxponygirl
06-15-2003, 4:19 PM
OK...here it goes. I have been studying the 'Conscientious Marine Aquarist' for some time now. My question, is do I have everything to setup my salt water tank or not??? This tank is going to start off with fish, invertibreas and live rock. I would also like to add coral at some time later.
Specs:
* 55 gl. tank
* 48"custum canopy Lighting: 2)55 watt bulbs, 1 daylight bulb, 1 actinic bulb
* 75 gl. wet/dry filter
* visi-jet protein skimmer(will be purchasing a bigger one soon)
* 2) 930 whisper power heads
* 4" of southdown playsand/w 1" crushed coral w/ 5lb.live sand(will be purchasing)
* 50 lbs. live rock(to start with)
* plenum
* 10 gl. refugium
* salt
* master test kit
* hydrometer,thermometers,timer, algea scrapper, 2) 150 watt heaters(submersiable)
* 15 gl. mixing bucket,power head,75 watt heater(for water changes)
I believe thats what i have for now. Anyone see were I may be needing something else or may need to change something before I setup this tank? Thanks all suggestions highly welcomed.
:D Almost forgot, what water additives do I need for the live rock if any?
DeltaUguy
06-15-2003, 5:47 PM
It sounds like you have everything you need and then some. You may want some stronger lighting to increase your options for corals, but I'm sure someone else on the board is better capable of commenting on that. I haven't done much research on corals yet.
Live rock doesn't need any additives, coraline algea will grow just fine with the lighting you have.
Good luck!
doxponygirl
06-15-2003, 11:29 PM
Thanks Delta!!!!
Think I may have a better setup for the lighting. Hopefully this will do for soft and hard coral.
2) 50/50 Actinic White Lamps with 2)50/50 Super Actinic Lamps @ 110 watts each.
Does this sound right ????? I am not setting the lights in until I can get this right....lol !!! But my setup has to consist of 4)48" bulbs. Thanks!!!!
DeltaUguy
06-16-2003, 5:51 AM
If you or someone you know is making the lighting canopy for you then you should think about putting in a couple of red light bulbs. Put them on a seperate switch so they can be turned on when the main lights are out so you can see all the cool stuff that goes on at night!
The 2 bulb VHO setup sounds alot better. 220 watts (4 watts per gallon) sounds pretty good.
BrianH
06-16-2003, 7:49 AM
The set up sounds pretty good. Who is setting up your plenum? I only ask because a deep sand bed is as effective and is much easier to set up properly.
Brian
doxponygirl
06-17-2003, 12:48 AM
Thanks everyone for such kind help.!!!!!!! I believe my setup is ready.
The plenum was built by me, I had some good d.i.y. plans for this. I do need to do some more indepth reading on the pros and cons of the plenum. But so far, (in my personal opinion), there really has been much negative spoken about this. It seems to me that both have some really good points and little bit of a down side. Maybe in another 10 years we will all be hearing about something new to try. But until then....maybe i will try a plenum with a deep sand bed and see how that turns out!!! I will have to keep you posted on that once my tank is up and running. Thanks again!!! Nanette
doxponygirl
06-17-2003, 12:55 AM
Sorry Delta, forgot to reply to your post. I have heard of people doing that. But do you think I could put in 2 blue colored lights instead, mimicing the moon light? Let me know your thoughts on this....Thanks!!!!!!!
Ray Pollett
06-17-2003, 8:47 PM
2 - 55 watt PC bulbs give off aproximately the same light intensity as 2 - 110 watt VHO and use less electricity. Both will work.
Every study I can find that I would consider being done properly or close enough to at least consider the results; shows that you are probably better off with a DSB and no plenium.
Ray
Ray Pollett
06-17-2003, 8:50 PM
I missed the question about the blue lights. That is what we are seeing more and more of. Some of the newer lighting systems include the blue "Moon " light on a seperate cord.
Ray
DeltaUguy
06-17-2003, 9:29 PM
Originally posted by Ray Pollett
2 - 55 watt PC bulbs give off aproximately the same light intensity as 2 - 110 watt VHO and use less electricity.
Huh?
Ray Pollett
06-18-2003, 8:25 AM
DeltaUguy,
"Huh?"
What part of that sentence did you not understand?:p
Test have consistently shown that a 55 watt power compact puts out aproximately the same light intensity as a 110 watt VHO, yet uses 1/2 the electricity. Why do you think they are so popular?
Ray
Originally posted by doxponygirl
4" of southdown playsand/w 1" crushed coral w/ 5lb.live sand(will be purchasing)
plenum
I personally would skip the crushed coral and the plenum. A simple DSB is far more effective and all you need is 6" of sand.
DeltaUguy
06-18-2003, 9:46 AM
Originally posted by Ray Pollett
Test have consistently shown that a 55 watt power compact puts out aproximately the same light intensity as a 110 watt VHO, yet uses 1/2 the electricity. Why do you think they are so popular?
Ray
I did not know that... cool.
Ray Pollett
06-18-2003, 1:48 PM
Corax,
I get in trouble every time I pusue this, But why do you believe you need 6" of sand?
Nothing I've seen shows it has to be that deep.
Ray
why 6"... Well, 2 reasons.
1.) According to what I've read, the anaerobic zone we are trying to establish only occurs under 2-3" of sand. The 6" gives us that and then some.
2.) Also accoding to what I've read, the pH in this environment is highly acidic, thus, overtime, our 6" will begin to dissolve away.
By using 6", it gives our DSB a better chance at establishing and surviving in the long run.
doxponygirl
06-20-2003, 11:28 AM
Originally posted by Ray Pollett
Test have consistently shown that a 55 watt power compact puts out aproximately the same light intensity as a 110 watt VHO, yet uses 1/2 the electricity.
Your lighting idea sounds great. But at this point in time, I cannot go with the compacts.The canopy structure is built, the supplies have already been bought. My canopy setup consist of 4) 48" bulbs: 2) 50/50 Actinic White Lamps with 2)50/50 Super Actinic Lamps @ 110 watts each. Thats a total ,if I am not mistaken,440 watts total. Is this to much lighting????:confused: I believe it was misunderstood that I was only using 2 bulbs somewhere with the total of 220 watts.
I've also decided to do without the plenum. Woooo....glad to have that decided. The deep sand bed sounds alot more efficient and effective, plus there will be the benifit from the refugium.
Now just to get my lighting issue resolved ;) , then I'll be on may way to setup!!!!!!!
Ray Pollett
06-20-2003, 4:05 PM
Doxponygirl,
Your lighting will be fine. It may cause some algae problems at first; but the should clear up shortly( PCs can do that also).
Corax,
"why 6"... Well, 2 reasons.
1.) According to what I've read, the anaerobic zone we are trying to establish only occurs under 2-3" of sand. The 6" gives us that and then some.
2.) Also accoding to what I've read, the pH in this environment is highly acidic, thus, overtime, our 6" will begin to dissolve away.
By using 6", it gives our DSB a better chance at establishing and surviving in the long run."
The test data I've seen shows 2-3 inches will do just as good as 6". And in a 55 that is 3" of space that can be used otherwise.
Here is thread of interest: http://www.aqualinkwebforum.com/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=8126047912&f=3556085422&m=4236040923
Especially Biogeek's post.